http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_03/022663.phpMCCONNELL'S CONCERN TROLLING, WITH A TOUCH OF DESPERATION.... Because if there's one person Senate Democrats should listen to when it comes to campaign advice, it's the leader of the Senate Republican caucus. The Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, warned Democrats on Tuesday that Republicans will use the issue of health care to bludgeon them in the November mid-term elections if Democrats succeed in passing a comprehensive overhaul.
"It will be the issue in every race in America," Mr. McConnell said at a news conference in the Capitol.... His comments reflected growing Republican concern over President Obama's resolve to secure passage of a comprehensive health care measure, which would be viewed as big Democratic achievement.
Not that it really matters, but I can't help but wonder if McConnell realizes how silly his warnings sound. Health care reform "will be the issue in every race in America"? Yep, probably. But (1) that's likely true whether Democrats succeed or fail, so they might as well try success; and (2) McConnell assumes voters won't like what's actually in the reform proposal, and there's ample evidence to the contrary.
In terms of campaign strategizing, does anyone seriously think Mitch McConnell has the Democrats' best interests at heart? Why on earth would Dems take electoral advice from the GOP leader who's intent on destroying them.It's almost pathetic.
Indeed,
in the bigger picture, I get the sense GOP leaders are actually getting a little panicky about this. After 100 years of talking about health care reform, Democrats may actually deliver. After seven presidents tried to get this done, President Obama may be the one to cross the finish line. For all the GOP bravado, some Republicans might actually realize that the reform bill, if given a fair hearing, is likely to be pretty popular with the public.So, we're left with foolish threats like the ones we heard from McConnell this morning.
—Steve Benen
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